
Vinyl siding is more affected by fire and extreme heat than HardiePlank. Vinyl siding is treated with fire retardant, but this only retards or slows down the spread of fire. Houses with vinyl siding neighboring a burning house will badly warp in response to the adjacent heat.
How much does it cost to replace siding with hardiplank?
The average cost to reside a 1,500 sq.ft. house with Hardie siding is $12,000-18,000. In lower income areas, homeowners may pay less to install Hardie Board siding, around $10,000-14,500 for the same size house. If you are ready to install new siding on your house, contact your local siding pros for FREE siding replacement estimates.
Is vinyl siding superior to wood siding?
Vinyl siding saves valuable time, not to mention cost when compared to painting the exterior of your home. In addition to this, it reduces maintenance repairs and is also energy efficient. Vinyl siding does not rot or flake and is very durable, unlike wood or cedar.
Should I Choose vinyl siding?
Vinyl siding offers the best weather protection. Modern vinyl is resistant to rain, wind, and hail, and new materials provide better protection than ever from fading and sun damage. Today’s thicker premium siding is also resistant to sagging and offers more protection from wind. Manufacturers have designed new vinyl to release moisture ...
What is better brick or vinyl siding?
brick:
- For increased value on your property, do with brick
- For friendly budget and exterior walls with low-maintenance, choose vinyl.
- For energy-efficiency, take brick since it is the best, though Energy Star-rated vinyl will also do well.

Which is better Hardie board or vinyl siding?
By contrast, Hardie® fiber cement siding is more durable and up to 5x thicker than vinyl siding. It easily stands up to the elements, resisting damage from wind, rain, freezing temperatures and hail, and gives homes years of protection with low maintenance.
Is vinyl siding cheaper than Hardie board?
For starters, Hardie board is more expensive than vinyl. The actual cost of the material depends on its quality, but it's important to remember that the more you spend, the better you can expect your new siding to withstand the elements. Hardie board also requires more labor for installation.
What type of house siding is best?
Durable and solid, fiber cement siding is an excellent exterior siding option for those who are looking for something that will last at least 30 years. Fiber cement siding is especially good for homeowners who live in an intense climate, because it can stand up to harsh weather, including hail and strong winds.
What type of siding is the most durable?
What Is the Most Durable Type of Siding?Engineered Wood. As the most durable siding on the market, engineered wood combines the aesthetics of real wood with engineered wood strand technology for superior durability. ... Vinyl Siding. ... Fiber Cement. ... Traditional Wood. ... Cedar Shake. ... Aluminum.
What is the most cost effective exterior siding?
Vinyl siding is almost always the least expensive way to side your home. You can even find vinyl siding for as cheap as $2 per square foot. Of course, you're going to be looking at your home's siding for many years to come, so it's important to balance the cost with what material you like looking at.
What is better vinyl siding or fiber cement?
In general, insulated vinyl siding is going to perform better in the categories of energy savings, long term durability, and low maintenance. Fiber cement can create a completely unique look because it can be painted any color you want, but will require routine maintenance to upkeep that appearance over time.
What is better than hardiplank?
Once the contractors believed in the product, the information was passed to the homeowners, including the following advantages: LP SmartSide has superior moisture protection and strength, longer lengths than Hardie (16′ over 12′), less weight than Hardie, and is less expensive to install (no special cutting tools ...
Does Hardie board siding increase home value?
James Hardie Siding Does Increase the Resale Value of Your Home. Whether or not if you're deciding to sell your home, having James Hardie Siding is going be one of the best investments you'll ever make. According to Family Handyman, you can recoup as much as 76% of the upfront cost of it upon the sale of your home.
How long will Hardie siding last?
50 yearsWith the proper care, your James Hardie fiber cement siding will outlast its 30-year warranty. It can even last up to 50 years if cared for properly.
What is the most waterproof siding for a house?
Vinyl SidingVinyl Siding: The Quintessential Choice for Budgets Being made of polyvinyl chloride, vinyl siding is essentially waterproof. This house siding won't absorb moisture and easily sheds rain.
What is the lowest maintenance siding?
Fiber CementFiber Cement Is the Best Low-Maintenance Siding Solution Unlike wood, fiber cement doesn't soak up moisture, so the panels will not rot or warp from water damage.
Is James Hardie siding worth it?
James Hardie siding is a great, environmentally friendly choice for overall curb appeal and home value. It will give your home a new look and feel to it. It is an attractive choice with guaranteed durability and quality. It provides an amazing return on investment.
Is fiber cement siding more expensive than vinyl siding?
Cost. Vinyl siding is nearly always less expensive than fiber-cement siding both in terms of the product and labor costs since it can be installed faster.
What are the cons of Hardie board?
The ConsHigh Installation and Labor Costs: Hardie board siding requires more planning, a larger labor force, and takes longer to install due to its composition. It weighs about 300 pounds (100 square feet) compared to 60-70 pounds for vinyl siding. ... Maintenance: It has to be re-painted periodically.
How much more expensive is Hardie siding?
Hardie board siding costs anywhere from $1 to $6 per square foot of material installed on a home. If you were to replace siding on an average size home of 1,500 square feet, you could expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 to $9,000 in total installation and replacement costs.
Can you replace vinyl siding with Hardie?
You can replace your vinyl siding with James Hardie siding. Fiber cement siding replacement comes with a long list of pros, and the only con most people see is its initial investment.
How thick is vinyl siding?
Vinyl Siding. Vinyl siding is far thinner than HardiePlanks at between 0.040 and .046 inches thick. This means that vinyl siding is about 2 1/2 times thinner than HardiePlank. Vinyl siding can be backed with foam sheathing or insulation, providing greater exterior thickness.
How much does a hardiepanel cost?
A single board of HardiePlank, 12 feet long and 8-1/4 inches wide (5/16 inch thick) in the Primed Cedarmill Lap Siding series, costs $10 to $12. Large format HardiePanel (the HZ5 series, 4-foot by 8-foot) costs from $30 to $32.
What is a hardie plank?
HardiePlank is composed of cement-like materials and about 5- to 10-percent cellulose (wood) fibers. Upon cutting, HardiePlank fiber-cement board kicks up clouds of cement dust. Extreme care must be taken since inhaling the dust may result in acute silicosis.
Is fiber cement siding better than vinyl siding?
In so many categories, fiber-cement might prove to be a better choice if not for one thing: the vast gap between the cost of fiber-cement and vinyl siding. Vinyl siding is a lower-cost choice for so many homes, plus it has a few other qualities that just might put it on an equal footing with fiber-cement siding.
Is vinyl siding wood?
Vinyl Siding. Vinyl siding usually does have a wood-like relief. But the product is too thin to allow for the deep textures found on HardiePlank, other brands of fiber-cement siding, or real wood, for that matter.
Is vinyl siding more flexible than fiber cement?
At the same time, vinyl siding is far more flexible than fiber-cement siding, so it can bend without breaking or cracking.
Is quartz siding good?
Yes, you've been eyeing that gorgeous quartz countertop at the kitchen design showroom, for example—but the high cost of quartz pulls you back to the point where quartz and laminate both look like good choices. It’s the same with fiber-cement house siding board and vinyl siding .
Which is cheaper, vinyl siding or wood siding?
Bottom line: If keeping costs low on a project is a primary goal, vinyl siding is the less expensive option.
What is vinyl siding made of?
Vinyl is made of primarily PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, resin. It is a plastic siding that is designed to look like wood siding.
What type of siding does Elite Home Exteriors use?
Elite Home Exteriors specializes in several types of siding. Whether you choose the James HardiePlank siding, vinyl, or another type of siding for your home,
How much does it cost to install vinyl siding?
The cost to have vinyl siding professionally installed starts at $3+ while the cost to have HardiePlank, or fiber cement siding, installed starts at $5+ per square foot.
What is the most difficult task to do in home improvement?
With most home improvement projects, balancing cost and quality is the most difficult task.
Is Hardie siding green?
Unlike vinyl siding, Hardie siding is known for its positive impact on the planet. In fact, James Hardie fiber cement siding was named the “Greenest Siding Brand” on Green Building Media’s Readers’ choice survey six years in a row.
Does vinyl siding have insulation?
Hardie siding, however, has come out with a version of its siding that has insulated backing.
What is fiber cement siding?
What Is Fiber Cement? Hardie siding is a fiber cement product, a composition of wood pulp, silica sand or ash, Portland cement, and water. The product design contains grooves and grains that mimic the look of cedar planks, shingles, and shakes. It can also be designed to mimic the look of stucco.
What Is Vinyl?
Vinyl is a plastic siding composed mostly of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin. It is designed to mimic wood planks and is extremely lightweight and easy to install. While vinyl used to be easily damaged, modern advancements have developed the material into a more durable siding.
What is the purpose of siding?
Siding’s primary job is to protect the interior of your home from the exterior world. However, most homeowners choose siding for appearance’s sake. Traditional plank siding is sought after all over the world. And while both vinyl and fiber cement siding mimic the look of wood planks, fiber cement does the job exponentially better — especially James ...
Is James Hardie fiber cement sustainable?
Fiber cement is created using more sustainable materials, and James Hardie utilizes sustainable practices in the creation of its products. James Hardie fiber cement was acclaimed for its positive environmental impact and named the “Greenest Siding Brand” by the Green Builder Media annual Readers’ choice survey.
Does fiber cement affect the environment?
The Environmental Impact. When it comes to helping the planet, fiber cement far surpasses vinyl. The creation of vinyl siding has negative impacts on the environment, not to mention that as a plastic material, it will not easily decompose and will remain in landfills for decades after removal.
Is vinyl siding better than fiber cement?
Quality siding can help save you money on your monthly energy bill, but only with good insulation. Vinyl typically provides better insulation than fiber cement. However, Hardie siding now has an insulated backing, giving it an R-value of 3, while typical vinyl has an R-value of less than 2.
Is fiber cement siding hard to install?
Fiber cement siding’s composition makes it more difficult to install. It can also be a more time-consuming process, and a more time-consuming and laborious process costs more money. However, the lack of repairs needed with fiber cement should be considered in offsetting the upfront cost of the installation.
What is the beauty of vinyl siding?
Curb Appeal and Beauty – Vinyl siding gives a crisp, clean look to home exteriors.
How long does vinyl siding last?
Strength and Durability – Vinyl siding typically lasts 20-40 years with proper care. It is more durable than wood lap siding which needs to be painted regularly, or cedar shake siding which needs to be treated regularly. Vinyl siding is treated with fire retardant, but the retardant only slows down the spread of fire.
Why does vinyl siding rot?
Wood siding can eventually rot due to moisture damage or become eaten by insects. Vinyl siding is economical, yet it may suffer in appearance due to denting. But Hardie Board siding upholds its beauty while maintaining resistance to damage from weather extremes, insects, moisture damage, hail, extreme heat, and fire.
Why do people like hardie board siding?
Here are some reasons homeowners love Hardie Board siding: Curb Appeal and Beauty – Homeowners love Hardie Board siding because it enhances a home’s exterior look and feel, adding great curb appeal and value to their property. It imitates the look of true wood, yet is more durable than wood.
What is siding king?
Siding King offers custom siding replacement solutions for your home. Talk with our detail-oriented staff to learn more about Hardie Board and vinyl siding options. Call Siding King today to discover ideal solutions to your home’s exterior needs. Schedule a FREE consultation.
Which siding has a lower price point?
Lower Price Point —Vinyl siding has a lower price point than Hardie Board, but it doesn’t carry the life span of Hardie Board siding.
Does hardie board last longer?
Strength and Durability – Hardie Board lasts longer than other materials, while maintaining its beauty in spite of rain, wind, or other weather elements. Extreme weather is known to erode stone or brick exteriors over time. Wood siding can eventually rot due to moisture damage or become eaten by insects. Vinyl siding is economical, ...
Why does vinyl siding crack?
Cold weather can cause vinyl siding to crack, and hot weather can cause the plastic to warp. Vinyl might not be the best choice for you if you live in a region with extreme temperatures in one direction or the other.
Is hardie board good?
There’s no question that Hardie board is beautiful. The fibrous material the pieces are constructed out of can be shaped to mimic the texture of wood, stone, and other natural surfaces so you can have the appearance of a natural exterior without the cost of actually installing one.
Is vinyl siding good for you?
Because it is made of plastic, it never needs to be painted and is resistant to the elements. It is also easier to maintain than traditional wood siding, which needs to be treated often. A quick spray from a hose can make vinyl siding appear good as new.
Is vinyl siding cheaper than hardie board?
The most notable benefit of choosing vinyl siding is that it is significantly cheaper than Hardie board and one of the most affordable options for siding your home. Vinyl is made of thin plastic that can be mass-produced and easily installed. The low price point is attractive and makes re-siding your home attainable for many people.
Is Hardie board siding strong?
The most notorious and sought-after feature of Hardie board siding is its durability. Because it is constructed of fiber cement, it is thick enough and strong enough to resist the strain of almost any weather condition or trial of nature. Because of its composition, Hardie board can fit into virtually any climate and withstand the fluctuations between hot and cold with ease.
Is vinyl brittle with age?
While vinyl is very resistant to wind and rain, it is so thin that it can easily be dented by hail or rocks kicked up by a lawnmower. It becomes more brittle with age and gets weaker over time.
What is vinyl siding?
Vinyl siding is a durable PVC (polyvinyl chloride) sheathing that can mimic natural materials like wood, stone or tile. It’s the same material used in vinyl flooring and is a popular choice for home siding because it’s affordable and easy to clean and maintain.
How much does vinyl siding cost?
Vinyl siding costs $3 to $6 per square foot for materials and between $2 and $5 per square foot for labor, which equates to $5 to $11 per square foot for materials and installation.
What is fiber cement?
Fiber cement is a combination of natural products, including Portland cement, sand and wood pulp, while vinyl siding consists of PVC, which is a synthetic plastic also used for vinyl flooring. Find out which performs best in your climate, suits your style and fits your budget.
How long does fiber cement siding last?
Tough: Waterproof, fire resistant, pest and insect repellant. Longest lifespan of any other siding material: High-quality fiber cement siding comes with 30- to 50-year warranties. Long-lasting color: Up to 50 years with proper care. Available in different colors and textures: Can mimic wood, stone or tile.
What is the best siding for a house?
Your home’s exterior needs durable, long-lasting siding to protect it from inclement weather, insects and more. Fiber cement and vinyl siding are two popular siding choices that offer this protection, although their properties vary. Fiber cement is a combination of natural products, including Portland cement, sand and wood pulp, ...
What is James Hardie board?
James Hardie ™ Board is a high-end brand of fiber cement siding called HardiePlank® that has become so synonymous with fiber cement siding that the terms are used interchangeably, along with Hardie board and Hardie plank. This brand of fiber cement siding is low maintenance, fire resistant, weather resistant and insect resistant. However, it does take longer to install.
How much does fiber cement cost?
Fiber cement siding costs$5 to $25 per square foot , including materials and labor. The materials alone cost between $1 and $15 per square foot, and labor ranging from $4 and $10 per square foot.

Siding Thickness
- Fiber-Cement Siding
HardiePlank is significantly thicker than vinyl siding. Just like real wood lap siding,HardiePlank is thick. While thicknesses do vary, HardiePlank averages between 5/16- and 1/4-inch thick. - Vinyl Siding
Vinyl sidingis far thinner than HardiePlanks at between 0.040 and .046 inches thick. This means that vinyl siding is about 2 1/2 times thinner than HardiePlank. Vinyl siding can be backed with foam sheathing or insulation, providing greater exterior thickness. Once vinyl siding is installed o…
Combustibility
- Fiber-Cement Siding
HardiePlank is composed of cement-like materials and about 5- to 10-percent cellulose (wood) fibers. Upon cutting, HardiePlank fiber-cement board kicks up clouds of cement dust. Extreme care must be taken since inhaling the dust may result in acute silicosis.1 The fortunate byprodu… - Vinyl Siding
Vinyl sidingis more affected by fire and extreme heat than HardiePlank. Vinyl siding is treated with fire retardant, but this only retards or slows down the spread of fire. Houses with vinyl siding neighboring a burning house will badly warp in response to the adjacent heat. Often, a burning h…
Texture and Realism
- Fiber-Cement Siding
Because HardiePlank is thicker, it offers deeper texturing than vinyl siding. HardiePlank's thickness allows for deep embossing, and as a result, it looks closer to real wood than vinyl siding. At the same time, fiber-cement siding’s embossing is uniform enough that it will rarely b… - Vinyl Siding
Vinyl sidingusually does have a wood-like relief. But the product is too thin to allow for the deep textures found on HardiePlank, other brands of fiber-cement siding, or real wood, for that matter.
Cost
- Vinyl siding is nearly always less expensive than fiber-cement siding both in terms of the product and labor costs since it can be installed faster. Still, any cost savings may not be reflected in the eventual sale of your home: For resale value, HardiePlank is the better choice.
Durability
- HardiePlank and vinyl siding are both very durable, surpassing wood lap siding (which needs regular painting) and cedar shake (which needs regular treatment). Both HardiePlank and vinyl siding have little to zero appeal to destructive insects, mainly carpenter ants and termites. Birds that eat insects are rarely interested in either product because neither product harbors the insec…
The Look
The Durability
- Both forms of siding have their benefits, but for the most part, James Hardie siding is more durable. While both vinyl and fiber cement are rot resistant and pest resistant, unlike traditional wood planks, Hardie board siding is inflammable, warp resistant, Engineered for Climate®, and impact resistant. On the other hand, vinyl is more susceptible ...
The Installation Process
- When it comes to installation, fiber cement requires special skills and a great deal of time to install. Hardie board is thicker and heavier than vinyl. Its density makes this process more difficult. Vinyl’s lightweight makeup makes it easy to transport, and it can be installed far more easily than fiber cement. The HardiePlank comes in two different options: pre-primed and Color…
The Upkeep
- Maintenance is required of every form of siding, but Hardie board and vinyl require far less care than most. Both materials will need to be cleaned annually with soap and water to remove dust and residue on their surfaces. Fiber cement needs caulking around its joints and may need repainting over time. However, James Hardie’s ColorPlus technology is baked on to provide lasti…
The Cost
- Vinyl is one of the most affordable forms of siding, but James Hardie is not far behind. Both sidings are more affordable than most other materials. And both forms of siding are designed to last for years, which means fewer replacements and more money saved. Where vinyl pulls ahead in cost is the installation. Fiber cement siding’s composition makes it more difficult to install. It …
The Efficiency
- Quality siding can help save you money on your monthly energy bill, but only with good insulation. Vinyl typically provides better insulation than fiber cement. However, Hardie siding now has an insulated backing, giving it an R-value of 3, while typical vinyl has an R-value of less than 2. In short, Hardie siding makes homes far more efficient than vinyl.
The Environmental Impact
- When it comes to helping the planet, fiber cement far surpasses vinyl. The creation of vinyl siding has negative impacts on the environment, not to mention that as a plastic material, it will not easily decompose and will remain in landfills for decades after removal. Fiber cement is created using more sustainable materials, and James Hardie utilizes sustainable practices in the creatio…